Canucks “steal” Jordan Schroeder with 22nd pick.

The Vancouver Canucks selected forward Jordan Schroeder from the University of Minnesota with the 22nd selection of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in Montreal, QC on Friday. Bob McKenzie and Pierre McGuire of TSN called the pick a “steal” for the Canucks.

While the consensus was that Schroeder slipped to 22 because teams were unsure about his size (5’8″ 178lbs) the Canucks had him ranked in the top 10, so when he was available at 22 they were happy to take him.

“We had Jordan much higher rated than our selection and we didn’t think he’d be available to get with 22,” Canucks general manager Mike Gillis told TSN. “So when he (Schroeder) was there we were taking him. We’re very excited about it.”

This past season, his freshman year Schroeder racked up an impressive 45 points in 35 games with Minnesota.

A lot of hockey people have compared Schroeder to players like New Jersey’s Brian Gionta and Chicago’s young star Patrick Kane, while NHL head scout EJ McGuire thinks he has a shot to play next year saying: “He’s as capable of contributing as was Gagne last year, and Kane — He’s right in that ballpark.”

At 5’9/180, Schroeder isnt’ the biggest freshman in stature, but he may be the most complete. Schroeder is a highly intelligent player that thinks and understands the game exceedingly well. He possesses excellent vision, awareness, and knows where plays will end up. He is instinctive and creative. Schroeder has the ability to make players around him better and his infectious enthusiasm and passion for the game is difficult to miss.